Add to albumThis silver coin was minted by Caius Memmius, son of Caius, in 56 BC. It is a type called a denarius, the most common Roman silver coin. This picture shows the reverse of the coin.
The reverse depicts a kneeling captive in front of a trophy. The design celebrates the military victories in Asia Minor of the moneyer's uncle, who is named in the legend 'C.MEMMIVS' with his military title 'IMPERATOR'.
After a victorious battle, the Greeks erected a trophy on the battlefield and dedicated it to the gods. It consisted of weapons of the defeated army placed on a pole or tree trunk. This custom was adopted by the Romans, but sometimes it was made in Rome.
Record details
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- Online ID: 000-190-000-438-C
- Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
- Project:
National Museums Scotland
Project description View all records in project
- Ref: National Museums Scotland H.C15300
- Date: 56
56 BC
- Material: Silver; both sides slightly off-centre; moderate wear. Inscription: Obv. Head of Ceres to right; in front, C . MEMMI . C . F, downwards / Rev. Captive kneeling right, in front of trophy; on left, IMPERATOR, downwards; on right, C . MEMMIVS, downwards
Coin Type: Crawford 427/1
Coin, denarius
- Dimensions: 18.00 x 18.50 mm D / Die Axis: 5.0
- What: Coin Type: Crawford 427/1
Coin, denarius
- Subject: Queen Street Coin Collection
- Who: C. Memmius C. f. (Maker)
Ceres
- Where: Italy, Rome
Roman Republic
- Event:
- Description: Silver denarius of Rome, minted by C. Memmius C. f., 56 BC
- References:
- Crawford, M.H. Roman Republican Coinage. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1976.
- Translations:
- Related Records: